Former President and incumbent Opposition MP Maithripala Sirisena, who many thought would not run for President again, is planning to contest at the next Presidential election, with the support of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) of which he is the Chairman. Speaking to the media yesterday (31), he expressed confidence about winning the election, adding that he is not the type of person that retreats or fears conspiracies against him. “No matter how many votes I receive, I am confident that I can win the election,” were his words.

Many might feel that Sirisena’s plan is surprising, given the fact that he is among the politicians whose names have been irreparably tarnished. That is mainly because of his alleged failure to prevent the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks, which cost Sirisena his popularity. Although he apologised for the Easter Sunday attacks while he was in office as the Head of State, it is unlikely that his popularity will return.

This is not just a matter of Sirisena’s expectation that the people would trust him again. Although Sirisena’s plans are rather surprising, Sri Lankan politicians have for a long time shown a growing tendency to try to remain in active politics for as long as they can. In the Sri Lankan context, it does not seem to matter how many times they have failed to fulfil their duties as public representatives and how much they lack in physical ability and professional competence when asking the people to give them another opportunity. Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who contested for Parliament a few months after being voted out as President in 2015, and incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who continuously refused to resign as the leader of the United National Party (UNP) despite a string of electoral defeats from 2005 to 2020, are prime examples of this mindset and culture.

This is a culture the country is yet to get rid of, as this is one of the predominant factors that has allowed corrupt and inefficient politicians to remain in power and also to continue a political culture of corruption and inefficiency. What is more, old politicians refusing to step down despite age, capabilities, and track record is one of the reasons that prevent new and young politicians from entering Sri Lankan politics, which in turn obstructs the necessary evolution of the political system in the country. Although new and young politicians entering politics does not necessarily mean new ideas, what is certain is that repeatedly failed politicians do not bring about any form of innovation that threatens their existence. 

Put simply, politicians too should have an age of retirement. As human beings, they too age, and as professionals, they too should face the consequences of the failure to fulfil their duties. Although Sri Lanka’s situation is in such a sorry state, the world has provided many examples of politicians admitting their failures, accepting the responsibility for those, and leaving their posts in which they failed. Politicians retiring from politics and also leaving their posts or politics when they know that the time is right to give others the opportunity are also quite common.

Setting the most recent example, former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, speaking of her plans to resign, noted: “I am leaving because with such a privileged role comes responsibility – the responsibility to know when you are the right person to lead and also when you are not. I know what this job takes. And I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice. It’s that simple.”

Unfortunately for Sri Lankans, seeing such exemplary actions in politicians is almost impossible. However, voters too have a role in correcting this wrong tradition. If they want change, which in this case is getting rid of incompetent and corrupt politicians and allowing new politicians, they should cast their vote judiciously.